ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST may grant us propitiation for our sins, without marking our iniquities. The Voice of CHRIST and the Church. This Psalm is to be read with the lesson of the Prophet Jonah. Wherefore this eleventh step denotes the voice of blessed Peter weeping bitterly after his third denial, and of all who imitate him here. The Voice of the Church. The Voice of the Apostle Peter.

VEN. BEDE. The Prophet, placed on the eleventh step, prostrates himself to fulfil his penance, because not even any Saint, so long as he is in the flesh, can be entirely free from sin. And this too is to be said, that every sin belongs as it were to the number eleven, because it overpasses the perfection of the Ten Commandments.

The Prophet cries to the LORD, that by the goodness of the righteous Judge he may be delivered out of the deep of sin, and from the troubles he experiences. Without delay, he comes to the joys of thanksgiving that penitents may understand with what favour they will be received, and how swift is the remedy bestowed on them. Out of the deep have I called, and Before the morning watch.

SYRIAC PSALTER. One of the Songs of Degrees. It is spoken of Nehemiah the Priest. And it implies in him the prayer of the Martyrs.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. The prayer of the Martyrs.

S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm of solitary address.